The Arizona Coyotes' NHL franchise has been relocated to Salt Lake City following a series of mismanagement issues under owner Alex Meruelo and a $1.2 billion sale. The move, orchestrated by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, was part of a bold strategy that promised the reactivation of the franchise if a new arena is built in Utah. The relocation was influenced by multiple factors, including dissatisfaction with the Mullett Arena's facilities. This shift marks a significant change in the NHL's geographic footprint, as the league loses presence in one of America's fastest-growing regions. Meanwhile, Meruelo has expressed his intention to bring professional hockey back to Phoenix, claiming he is uniquely capable of achieving this, contingent on meeting two non-negotiable conditions.
The NHL recently announced the relocation of its Phoenix-based franchise. For a league that has long wanted to expand its presence in America, it is losing a foothold in one of the country’s fastest-growing regions is a serious blow https://t.co/VQJStqbUB9 🏒
Following a $1.2B sale, the Arizona NHL franchise as we know it is headed to Salt Lake City next season. In order to restart an expansion team in the desert, the clock is ticking on two non-negotiables. @byajperez has everything you need to know ⬇️
NEW on @FOS: Alex Meruelo says he's "the only one that can get" hockey back to the Phoenix area—a remark that w met with eye rolls from insiders, fans. A look at why the Coyotes failed under Meruelo, leading to everything but the team name heading to SLC. https://t.co/YqW0nRwvj7
NEW on @FOS: Alex Meruelo says he's "the only one that can get" hockey back to the Phoenix area—a remark that w met with eye rolls from insiders and fans. A look at why the Coyotes failed under Meruelo, leading to everything but team name heading to SLC. https://t.co/YqW0nRwvj7
What does the future of professional hockey look like in Phoenix and Salt Lake City? @rhoback https://t.co/BfFcG30clj
It's one of the most daring ideas of Gary Bettman's career: Moving the Coyotes to Utah by promising their owner that he can "reactivate" the NHL franchise if he gets an arena built. With @emilymkaplan, the inside story of how this all went down. https://t.co/3KQcg8PiGM
"The first year was sick. But it was a novelty. When we went back this year, it was like, 'We have to do this shit again?'" Mullett Arena was one reason why the NHL moved the Coyotes to Utah, but not the only one. Inside relocation, with @emilymkaplan. https://t.co/3KQcg8PiGM
New story with @wyshynski. Inside how the Coyotes were mismanaged to end up in Utah — and how Utah landed an NHL team in record time. https://t.co/QO923qILtm
New story with @wyshynski. The inside story of how the Coyotes were mismanaged to end up in Utah — and how Utah landed an NHL team in record time. https://t.co/QO923qILtm